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Six Feet and Falling

by Saerry Snape

Chapter 9 :: September 2, 1995 :: Hogwarts – Later Morning (First Class)

"Shouldn't you go change?"

Sheyne blinked at Ron then looked down at herself as they walked out of the Great Hall.

"Crap!  No wonder everyone was staring!"

"Just go throw a robe over it," suggested Harry.  "No one'll notice.  Ron threw his robes over his pajamas before and went two days like that."

"That was just for one day."

Sheyne nodded and said, "I'll see you three in class."  She sprinted off towards Gryffindor Tower as the trio turned towards the dungeons.

* * *

Sheyne had just thrown her robes over her head and tugged them down when she looked at her schedule.  It was color-coded for which Houses would be together.  Her first class was red and green and the caption read: Double Potions – Slyth, Gryff – 8:55.  Now she looked at her watch, which read: 8:52.

"SHIT!"

* * *

Footsteps thundered down the halls as Sheyne ran for all she was worth, her bag bouncing hard against her shoulder.  Dammit, that book was giving her a bruise…

Look at the watch.  8:53.  Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!

I'm not gonna make it! moaned Sheyne mentally.

Suddenly the stone under her shirt warmed and Sheyne let out a surprised yelp as she felt her body flowing into a new shape.  She collapsed onto four legs, each of them elongating into long, thin, spindly legs with cloven hooves on the ends.  Her body shifted, her bag flowing into her and becoming a part of her as her entire body was covered in soft, brown fur.  When her head finally made the transformation, a sleek doe was racing through the entrance hall towards the dungeons.  It blasted past the Bloody Baron, who only grumbled something about unruly students.

The doe scrabbled for traction as it rounded a corner, dashing down into the dungeons.  Down two flights of steps it leapt then raced down a corridor to the Potions classroom.  A flash of light later, Sheyne was racing down the last length of the hall, grinning widely.

The watch: 8:54.

Sheyne threw open the door, sprinted for the empty seat beside Harry, and made it there just as the bell rang.

Thank God!

Harry arched an eyebrow at her and asked, "Hard run?"

Sheyne grinned at him and replied, "You have no idea."

* * *

"Some second year said they saw a deer running through the Charms corridor."

"A deer?"

"Yep.  A deer."

"What would a deer be doing in Hogwarts?"

"Who knows?"

Harry turned from the conversation down the table and saw Sheyne bent over, letting out silent peals of laughter.  He arched an eyebrow at her then shook his head.  He'd ask her about it later.

* * *

"What was so funny at lunch?"

Sheyne looked up from her book as Harry flopped down on the couch beside her.

"Oh…that silly story about a deer.  A deer in Hogwarts.  What a hoot."

Harry arched an eyebrow and said, "You seemed to think it was funner than some people.  Like you knew it was really true."

Sheyne peered at him for a moment then leaned towards him and whispered, "Can you keep a secret?"

Harry chuckled.

"Of course.  Not the foulest Slytherin nor the cleverest Ravenclaw shall get your secret out of me."

Sheyne chortled then said, "Alright.  I'll tell you."

Harry arched his eyebrows and propped one elbow on his knee, his chin resting in his palm.  Sheyne looked around the common room then began.

"I was the deer…"

* * *

"So, you can change into different animals?"

"Well…I've only done it twice.  The first time was when my adopted parents were killed.  The third one – Macnair – he tried to catch me and Stephen but got scared."

"Scared?" repeated Harry.

"Yeah.  I – I think I turned into a panther."

Harry whistled softly and leaned back into the couch.

"That's some gift."

"I know.  I wonder where it came from…"

Harry chuckled and said, "Y'know, I can't believe I'm really saying this, but maybe you should ask Snape.  He'd probably know.  After all, he is…"

"My father," finished Sheyne.  "A fact I know all too well, now.  Does he deliberately make every student hate him?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment then nodded.

"Yeah," he said, "I think that's just about right."

Sheyne rolled her eyes then said, "Don't go to dinner without me."

"Wouldn't dream of it.  Have a nice chat."

Sheyne waved at Harry then left the common room, heading for the dungeons.